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The tumor-suppressor p53 undergoes extensive poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation early during apoptosis in human osteosarcoma cells, and degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) attached to p53 coincides with poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1, (PARP-1) cleavage, and expression of p53 target genes. The mechanism by which poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation may regulate p53 function has now been investigated. Purified wild-type PARP-1 catalyzed the poly(ADP-ribosyl) of full-length p53 in vitro. In gel supershift assays, poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation suppressed p53 binding to its DNA consensus sequence; however, when p53 remained unmodified in the presence of inactive mutant PARP-1, it retained sequence-specific DNA binding activity. Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of p53 by PARP-1 during early apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells also inhibited p53 interaction with its DNA consensus sequence; thus, poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation may represent a novel means for regulating transcriptional activation by p53 in vivo.

JP-8 is a kerosene-based fuel widely used by the U.S. military. Various models of human occupational and animal exposure to JP-8 have demonstrated the potential for local and systemic toxicity but the mechanisms involved are unknown. The purpose of our investigation was to study the molecular mechanisms of JP-8 toxicity by using an in vitro model. JP-8 exposure in a rat lung alveolar type II epithelial cell line (RLE-6TN) induces biochemical and morphological markers of apoptotic cell death: caspase-3 activation, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage, chromatin condensation, membrane blebbing, cytochrome c release from mitochondria, and genomic DNA cleavage into both oligonucleosomal (DNA ladder) and high-molecular-weight (HMW) fragments. The human histiocytic lymphoma cell line (U937) also responds to JP-8 with caspase-3 activation, cleavage of caspase substrates, including PARP, DNA-PK, and lamin B1, and degradation of genomic DNA with the production of HMW fragments. Caspase-3 activation and PARP cleavage also occur in the acute T-cell leukemia cell line (Jurkat) following treatment with JP-8. Furthermore, Jurkat cells stably transfected with a plasmid encoding the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-x(L) or pretreated with the pan-caspase inhibitor Boc-d-fmk, are relatively resistant to the cytotoxic effects of JP-8 compared to control cells. Finally, we demonstrate that PARP cleavage occurs in primary mouse thymocytes exposed to JP-8. In conclusion, our data support the hypothesis that apoptotic cell death is responsible at least partially for the cytotoxic effects of JP-8 and suggest that inhibition of the apoptotic cascade might reduce JP-8 toxicity., (Copyright 2001 Academic Press.)

JP-8 induces apoptosis in rat lung epithelial cells, primary mouse T lymphocytes, Jurkat T lymphoma cells, and U937 monocytic cells (Stoica et al., 2001). Here, we have observed a different mechanism of cytotoxicity in human keratinocytes grown in culture as well as when grafted onto nude mice. At lower levels of JP-8 (80 microg/ml; 1 x 10(-4) dilution), sufficient to induce apoptosis in other cell types, including lung epithelial cells (Stoica et al., 2001), no apoptosis was observed. At higher levels (>200 microg/ml; 2.5 x 10(-4) dilution), JP-8 is cytotoxic to both primary and immortalized human keratinocytes, as evidenced by the metabolism of calcein, as well as by morphological changes such as cell rounding and cell detachment. There was no evidence of activation of caspases-3, -7, or -8 either by enzyme activity or immunoblot analysis, and the stable expression of a dominant-negative inhibitor of apoptosis (FADD-DN) did not increase the survival of keratinocytes to JP-8. The pattern of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage was also characteristic of necrosis. PARP has been also been implicated in necrosis via its ability to lower levels of ATP in damaged cells. However, fibroblasts derived from PARP-/- mice underwent necrotic cell death similar to those derived from PARP+/+ mice, indicating that the effects of JP-8 are independent of PARP. Immunoblot analysis further revealed that exposure of keratinocytes to the toxic higher levels of JP-8 markedly downregulates the expression of the prosurvival members of the Bcl-2 family, Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L), and upregulates the expression of antisurvival members of this family, including Bad and Bak. Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L) have been shown to preserve mitochondrial integrity and suppress cell death. In contrast, Bak and Bad both promote cell death by alteration of the mitochondrial membrane potential, in part by heterodimerization with and inactivation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L), and either inducing necrosis or activating a downstream caspase program. High intrinsic levels of Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L) may prevent apoptotic death of keratinocytes at lower levels of JP-8, while perturbation of the balance between pro- and antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family members at higher levels may ultimately play a role in necrotic cell death in human keratinocytes. Finally, when human keratinocytes were grafted to form a human epidermis on nude mice, treatment of these grafts with JP-8 revealed cytotoxicity and altered histology in vivo., (Copyright 2001 Academic Press.)

We describe two pathways by which the vesicating agent sulfur mustard (HD) may cause basal cell death and detachment: induction of terminal differentiation and apoptosis. Following treatment of normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) with 10 or 100 microM HD, the differentiation-specific keratin pair K1/K10 was induced and the cornified envelope precursor protein, involucrin, was cross-linked by epidermal transglutaminase. Fibronectin levels were reduced in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The rapid increase in p53 and decrease in Bcl-2 levels was consistent not only with epidermal differentiation but with apoptosis as well. Further examination of biochemical markers of apoptosis following treatment of either NHEK or human papillomavirus (HPV)-immortalized keratinocytes revealed a burst of poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis, specific cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP) in vivo and in vitro into characteristic 89 and 24 kDa fragments, processing of caspase-3 into its active form and the formation of DNA ladders. The intracellular calcium chelator BAPTA suppressed the differentiation markers, whereas antisense oligonucleotides and chemical inhibitors specific for calmodulin blocked both markers of differentiation and apoptosis. Modulation of p53 levels utilizing retroviral constructs expressing the E6, E7 or E6 + E7 genes of HPV-16 revealed that HD-induced apoptosis was partially p53-dependent. Finally, immortalized fibroblasts derived from PARP -/- 'knockout mice' were exquisitely sensitive to HD-induced apoptosis. These cells became HD resistant when wild-type PARP was stably expressed in these cells. These results indicate that HD exerts its effects via calmodulin, 3 and PARP-sensitive pathways.

We previously reported that, in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) cultures exposed to the alkylating compound sulfur mustard (bis-(2-chloroethyl) sulfide, HD, 0.3-1 mM), there is a rapid (< or =1 h) activation (100% above unexposed control) of the DNA repair enzyme DNA ligase I (130 kD) followed by a first-order decay (1-5 h). The DNA ligase activation is accompanied by a time-dependent (0.5-4 h) and significant DNA repair. Inhibition of another putative DNA repair enzyme, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), by using 3-amino benzamide does not affect DNA ligase activation following HD exposure, but increases the half-life of the activated enzyme threefold. To examine the role of PARP in HD-induced DNA ligase activation and subsequent DNA repair, we conducted studies using cultured keratinocytes in which the level of PARP had been selectively lowered (> or =85%) by the use of induced expression of antisense RNA. In these cells, there was no stimulation of DNA ligase up to 3 h, and a small stimulation (ca. 30% above unexposed control at 5-6 h after HD exposure. A time-course (0.5-6 h) study of DNA repair in HD-exposed PARP-deficient keratinocytes revealed a much slower rate of repair compared with HD-exposed NHEK. The results suggest an active role of PARP in DNA ligase activation and DNA repair in mammalian cells, and also indicate that modulation of PARP-mediated mechanisms may provide a useful approach in preventing HD toxicity.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) is implicated in the maintenance of genomic integrity, given that inhibition or depletion of this enzyme increases genomic instability in cells exposed to genotoxic agents. We previously showed that immortalized fibroblasts derived from PARP(-/-) mice exhibit an unstable tetraploid population, and partial chromosomal gains and losses in PARP(-/-) mice and immortalized fibroblasts are accompanied by changes in the expression of p53, Rb, and c-Jun, as well as other proteins. A tetraploid population has also now been detected in primary fibroblasts derived from PARP(-/-) mice. Oligonucleotide microarray analysis was applied to characterize more comprehensively the differences in gene expression between asynchronously dividing primary fibroblasts derived from PARP(-/-) mice and their wild-type littermates. Of the 11,000 genes monitored, 91 differentially expressed genes were identified. The loss of PARP results in down-regulation of the expression of several genes involved in regulation of cell cycle progression or mitosis, DNA replication, or chromosomal processing or assembly. PARP deficiency also up-regulates genes that encode extracellular matrix or cytoskeletal proteins that are implicated in cancer initiation or progression or in normal or premature aging. These results provide insight into the mechanism by which PARP deficiency impairs mitotic function, thereby resulting in the genomic alterations and chromosomal abnormalities as well as in altered expression of genes that may contribute to genomic instability, cancer, and aging.

Apoptosis is characterized by various cell morphological and biochemical features, one of which is the internucleosomal degradation of genomic DNA. The role of the human chromatin-bound Ca(2+)- and Mg(2+)-dependent endonuclease (CME) DNAS1L3 and its inhibition by poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation in the DNA degradation that accompanies apoptosis was investigated. The nuclear localization of this endonuclease is the unique feature that distinguishes it from other suggested apoptotic nucleases. Purified recombinant DNAS1L3 was shown to cleave nuclear DNA into both high molecular weight and oligonucleosomal fragments in vitro. Furthermore, exposure of mouse skin fibroblasts expressing DNAS1L3 to inducers of apoptosis resulted in oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation, an effect not observed in cells not expressing this CME, as well as in a decrease in cell viability greater than that apparent in the control cells. Recombinant DNAS1L3 was modified by recombinant human poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in vitro, resulting in a loss of nuclease activity. The DNAS1L3 protein also underwent poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation in transfected mouse skin fibroblasts in response to inducers of apoptosis. The cleavage and inactivation of PARP by a caspase-3-like enzyme late in apoptosis were associated with a decrease in the extent of DNAS1L3 poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation, which likely releases DNAS1L3 from inhibition and allows it to catalyze the degradation of genomic DNA.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) catalyzes the transfer of successive units of ADP-ribose moiety from NAD(+) covalently to itself and other nuclear acceptor proteins. PARP is a zinc finger-containing protein, allowing the enzyme to bind to either double- or single-strand DNA breaks without any apparent sequence preference. The catalytic activity of PARP is strictly dependent on the presence of strand breaks in DNA and is modulated by the level of automodification. Data from many studies show that PARP is involved in numerous biological functions, all of which are associated with the breaking and rejoining of DNA strands, and plays a pivotal role in DNA damage repair. Recent advances in apoptosis research identified PARP as one of the intracellular "death substrates" and demonstrated the involvement of polymerase in the execution of programmed cell death. This review summarizes the biological effects of PARP function that may have a potential for targeted sensitization of tumor cells to genotoxic agents and radiotherapy. Int. J. Cancer (Radiat. Oncol. Invest.) 90, 59-67 (2000)., (Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Depletion of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) increases the frequency of recombination, gene amplification, sister chromatid exchanges, and micronuclei formation in cells exposed to genotoxic agents, implicating PARP in the maintenance of genomic stability. Flow cytometric analysis now has revealed an unstable tetraploid population in immortalized fibroblasts derived from PARP(-/-) mice. Comparative genomic hybridization detected partial chromosomal gains in 4C5-ter, 5F-ter, and 14A1-C1 in PARP(-/-)mice and immortalized PARP(-/-)fibroblasts. Neither the chromosomal gains nor the tetraploid population were apparent in PARP(-/-) cells stably transfected with PARP cDNA [PARP(-/-)(+PARP)], indicating negative selection of cells with these genetic aberrations after reintroduction of PARP cDNA. Although the tumor suppressor p53 was not detectable in PARP(-/-) cells, p53 expression was partially restored in PARP(-/-) (+PARP) cells. Loss of 14D3-ter that encompasses the tumor suppressor gene Rb-1 in PARP(-/-) mice was associated with a reduction in retinoblastoma(Rb) expression; increased expression of the oncogene Jun was correlated with a gain in 4C5-ter that harbors this oncogene. These results further implicate PARP in the maintenance of genomic stability and suggest that altered expression of p53, Rb, and Jun, as well as undoubtedly many other proteins may be a result of genomic instability associated with PARP deficiency.

E2F-1, a transcription factor implicated in the activation of genes required for S phase such as DNA pol alpha, is regulated by interactions with Rb and by cell-cycle dependent alterations in E2F-1 abundance. We have shown that depletion of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) by antisense RNA expression downregulates pol alpha and E2F-1 expression during early S phase. To examine the role of PARP in the regulation of pol alpha and E2F-1 gene expression, we utilized immortalized mouse fibroblasts derived from wild-type and PARP knockout (PARP-/-) mice as well as PARP-/- cells stably transfected with PARP cDNA [PARP-/-(+PARP)]. After release from serum deprivation, wild-type and PARP-/-(+PARP) cells, but not PARP-/- cells, exhibited a peak of cells in S phase by 16 h and had progressed through the cell cycle by 22 h. Whereas [3H]thymidine incorporation remained negligible in PARP-/- cells, in vivo DNA replication maximized after 18 h in wild-type and PARP-/-(+PARP) cells. To investigate the effect of PARP on E2F-1 promoter activity, a construct containing the E2F-1 gene promoter fused to a luciferase reporter gene was transiently transfected into these cells. E2F-1 promoter activity in control and PARP-/-(+PARP) cells increased eightfold after 9 h, but not in PARP-/- cells. PARP-/- cells did not show the marked induction of E2F-1 expression during early S phase apparent in control and PARP-/-(+PARP) cells. RT - PCR analysis and pol alpha activity assays revealed the presence of pol alpha transcripts and a sixfold increase in activity in both wild-type and PARP-/-(+PARP) cells after 20 h, but not in PARP-/- cells. These results suggest that PARP plays a role in the induction of E2F-1 promoter activity, which then positively regulates both E2F-1 and pol alpha expression, when quiescent cells reenter the cell cycle upon recovery from aphidicolin exposure or removal of serum.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is a neurotoxin that causes parkinsonism in humans and nonhuman animals, and its use has led to greater understanding of the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. However, its molecular targets have not been defined. We show that mice lacking the gene for poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), which catalyzes the attachment of ADP ribose units from NAD to nuclear proteins after DNA damage, are dramatically spared from MPTP neurotoxicity. MPTP potently activates PARP exclusively in vulnerable dopamine containing neurons of the substantia nigra. MPTP elicits a novel pattern of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of nuclear proteins that completely depends on neuronally derived nitric oxide. Thus, NO, DNA damage, and PARP activation play a critical role in MPTP-induced parkinsonism and suggest that inhibitors of PARP may have protective benefit in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Spontaneous apoptosis in human osteosarcoma cells was observed to be associated with a marked increase in the intracellular abundance of p53. Immunoprecipitation and immunoblot analysis revealed that, together with a variety of other nuclear proteins, p53 undergoes extensive poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation early during the apoptotic program in these cells. Subsequent degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR), attached to p53 presumably by PAR glycohydrolase, the only reported enzyme to degrade PAR, was apparent concomitant with the onset of proteolytic processing and activation of caspase-3, caspase-3-mediated cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation during the later stages of cell death. The decrease in PAR covalently bound to p53 also coincided with the marked induction of expression of the p53-responsive genes bax and Fas. These results suggest that poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation may play a role in the regulation of p53 function and implies a regulatory role for PARP and/or PAR early in apoptosis.

Caspace-mediated proteolysis of the nuclear enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) (EC 2.4, 2.30) is a biochemical marker of cell death in response to various apoptotic stimuli. Anti-PARP antibodies identifying the 89 kDa polypeptide from the C-terminus as well as the 113 kDa native enzyme are often used to demonstrate evidence of apoptosis-associated, interleukin converting enzyme (ICE)-mediated limited cleavage. Recent evidence points to redundancy of caspases, heterogeneity of their cleavage sites, and a possibility of generating distinct context-specific, and cell-specific PARP fragments. In the present study, we employed antibodies directed to multiple sites in PARP and probed two-dimensionally resolved proteins of the estrogen receptor negative MDA-MB-468 breast tumor cells, induced to undergo apoptosis by ionizing radiation (IR). Our results revealed that the 24 kDa apoptotic fragment of PARP, from the N-terminus, consists of at least three isoforms, located at a p/more basic than the full length enzyme. We also report a hitherto unrecognized feature of an anti-PARP antiserum, VIC-5, detecting both the 89 kDa and the 24 kDa caspase-generated fragments of PARP. Thus, application of two-dimensional electrophoresis combined with antisera directed to multiple sites would be valuable in distinguishing PARP cleavage site- and inhibitor specificities of proteases during apoptosis.

We have focused on the roles of PARP and poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation early in apoptosis, as well as during the early stages of differentiation-linked DNA replication. In both nuclear processes, a transient burst of PAR synthesis and PARP expression occurs early, prior to internucleosomal DNA cleavage before commitment to apoptosis as well as at the round of DNA replication prior to the onset of terminal differentiation. In intact human osteosarcoma cells undergoing spontaneous apoptosis, both PARP and PAR decreased after this early peak, concomitant with the inactivation and cleavage of PARP by caspase-3 and the onset of substantial DNA and nuclear fragmentation. Whereas 3T3-L1, osteosarcoma cells, and immortalized PARP +/+ fibroblasts exhibited this early burst of PAR synthesis during Fas-mediated apoptosis, neither PARP-depleted 3T3-L1 PARP-antisense cells nor PARP -/- fibroblasts showed this response. Consequently, whereas control cells progressed into apoptosis, as indicated by induction of caspase-3-like PARP-cleavage activity, PARP-antisense cells and PARP -/- fibroblasts did not, indicating a requirement for PARP and poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of nuclear proteins at an early reversible stage of apoptosis. In parallel experiments, a transient increase in PARP expression and activity were also noted in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes 24 h after induction of differentiation, a stage at which approximately 95% of the cells were in S-phase, but not in PARP-depleted antisense cells, which were consequently unable to complete the round of DNA replication required for differentiation. PARP, a component of the multiprotein DNA replication complex (MRC) that catalyzes viral DNA replication in vitro, poly(ADP-ribosyl)ates 15 of approximately 40 MRC proteins, including DNA pol alpha, DNA topo I, and PCNA. Depletion of endogenous PARP by antisense RNA expression in 3T3-L1 cells results in MRCs devoid of any DNA pol alpha and DNA pol delta activities. Surprisingly, there was no new expression of PCNA and DNA pol alpha, as well as the transcription factor E2F-1 in PARP-antisense cells during entry into S-phase, suggesting that PARP may play a role in the expression of these proteins, perhaps by interacting with a site in the promoters for these genes.

The observation that 3-aminobenzamide, which inhibits a variety of ADP-ribose transferases, prolongs the gamma-irradiation-induced increase in intracellular p53 concentration suggested that one or more of such enzymes may determine the duration of the p53 response during G1 arrest. The role of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), an abundant nuclear enzyme activated by DNA strand breaks, in the p53 response to y-irradiation was investigated in Burkitt's lymphoma AG876 cells stably transfected with an inducible PARP antisense construct. Immunoblot analysis revealed that the cellular content of PARP was reduced to virtually undetectable levels after incubation of transfected cells for 72 h with the inducer dexamethasone. In noninduced antisense cells, the p53 concentration reached a maximum 2 h after exposure to 6.3 Gy of gamma-radiation and returned to control values by 4 h. In contrast, the p53 response in PARP-depleted antisense cells peaked at 4 h, with the levels of p53 remaining elevated for up to 12 h after y-irradiation. The maximal increase in p53 concentration was similar in both induced and noninduced cells. These results thus indicate that PARP activity, in part, determines the duration, but not the magnitude, of the p53 response to DNA damage.

The antiangiogenic, tubulin-binding drug combretastatin A-4 exhibits a selective toxicity for proliferating endothelial cells in vitro and induces vascular shutdown in tumor models in vivo. The mechanism of combretastatin A-4 cytotoxicity has now been investigated with cultured proliferating human umbilical vein endothelial cells by examining various markers of apoptosis. Incubation of cells with 0.1 mM combretastatin A-4 induced the conversion (first detected after 6 h) of the CPP32 proenzyme to active caspase-3, a cysteine protease that plays an important role in apoptosis in many cell types; the drug also increased caspase-3 activity. Another early event observed was the binding of annexin V to 50% of the cells 8 h after drug treatment. Internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, another hallmark of apoptosis, was detected in cells incubated with 0.1 mM combretastatin A-4 for 24 h. Staining with Hoechst 33258 revealed that about 75% of cells exhibited a nuclear morphology characteristic of apoptosis after incubation with drug for 24 h. Incubation of cells for up to 8 h with combretastatin A-4 did not induce the release of lactate dehydrogenase or increase the uptake of propidium iodide, both indicators of membrane integrity. These results indicate that the selective cytotoxic effect of combretastatin A-4 is mediated by the induction of apoptosis rather than by necrosis and may provide an enhanced clinical strategy in cancer chemotherapy with this new agent.

The 'high risk' human papillomaviruses are associated with the development of anogenital carcinomas and their E6 and E7 genes possess immortalizing and transforming functions in several in vitro culture systems. Recently the E6 gene has also been shown to enhance the apoptosis of human mammary epithelial cells. To determine the apoptotic activity of these oncogenes in the natural host cell, we infected genital keratinocytes with retroviruses expressing either HPV-16 E6, E7, or both the E6 and E7 (E6/7) genes. Apoptosis was quantitated under normal growth conditions or when induced by tumor necrosis factor alpha/cycloheximide or sulfur mustard. In contrast to previous findings with mammary epithelial cells, the E6 gene did not significantly augment either spontaneous or induced apoptosis. E6 also did not suppress apoptosis in normal keratinocytes (despite dramatically reducing their p53 levels), suggesting that p53-independent events mediated this effect. In contrast, E7 increased both spontaneous and induced apoptosis as well as the cellular levels of p53 and p21 protein. Interestingly, co-expression of E6 abrogated E7-facilitated apoptosis by tumor necrosis factor alpha nearly completely, but had only a minor protective effect on sulfur mustard induced apoptosis in these cells, demonstrating at least in part the p53-dependence and -independence of these two apoptotic pathways. Finally, our results indicate that the apoptosis of normal and E7-expressing keratinocytes is differentially affected by E6 expression and that E7, when unaccompanied by E6, sensitizes keratinocytes to apoptosis.

During apoptosis, DNA undergoes fragmentation and caspase-3 cleaves poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) into both a 24-kDa fragment containing the DNA binding domain and an 89-kDa fragment containing the catalytic and automodification domains. Atomic force microscopy revealed that recombinant full-length PARP bound to plasmid DNA fragments and linked them into chainlike structures. Automodification of PARP in the presence of NAD+ resulted in its dissociation from the DNA fragments, which, nevertheless, remained physically aligned. A recombinant 28-kDa fragment of PARP containing the DNA binding domain but lacking the automodification domain irreversibly bound to and linked DNA fragments in the absence or presence of NAD+. Identical results were obtained on incubation of internucleosomal DNA fragments from apoptotic cells with the products of cleavage of recombinant PARP by purified caspase-3. The 24-kDa product of PARP cleavage by caspase-3 may contribute to the irreversibility of apoptosis by blocking the access of DNA repair enzymes to DNA strand breaks.

Sulfur mustard (SM) induces vesication via poorly understood pathways. The blisters that are formed result primarily from the detachment of the epidermis from the dermis at the level of the basement membrane. In addition, there is toxicity to the basal cells, although no careful study has been performed to determine the precise mode of cell death biochemically. We describe here two potential mechanisms by which SM causes basal cell death and detachment: namely, induction of terminal differentiation and apoptosis. In the presence of 100 microM SM, terminal differentiation was rapidly induced in primary human keratinocytes that included the expression of the differentiation-specific markers K1 and K10 and the cross-linking of the cornified envelope precursor protein involucrin. The expression of the attachment protein, fibronectin, was also reduced in a time- and dose-dependent fashion. Features common to both differentiation and apoptosis were also induced in 100 microM SM, including the rapid induction of p53 and the reduction of Bcl-2. At higher concentrations of SM (i.e., 300 microM), formation of the characteristic nucleosome-sized DNA ladders, TUNEL-positive staining of cells, activation of the cysteine protease caspase-3/apopain, and cleavage of the death substrate poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, were observed both in vivo and in vitro. Both the differentiation and the apoptotic processes appeared to be calmodulin dependent, because the calmodulin inhibitor W-7 blocked the expression of the differentiation-specific markers, as well as the apoptotic response, in a concentration-dependent fashion. In addition, the intracellular Ca2+ chelator, BAPTA-AM, blocked the differentiation response and attenuated the apoptotic response. These results suggest a strategy for designing inhibitors of SM vesication via the Ca2+-calmodulin or caspase-3/PARP pathway.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) is a component of the multiprotein DNA replication complex (MRC, DNA synthesome) that catalyzes replication of viral DNA in vitro. PARP poly(ADP-ribosyl)ates 15 of the approximately 40 proteins of the MRC, including DNA polymerase alpha (DNA pol alpha), DNA topoisomerase I (topo I), and proliferating-cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Although about equal amounts of MRC-complexed and free forms of PCNA were detected by immunoblot analysis of HeLa cell extracts, only the complexed form was poly(ADP-ribosyl)ated, suggesting that poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of PCNA may regulate its function within the MRC. NAD inhibited the activity of DNA pol delta in the MRC in a dose-dependent manner, whereas the PARP inhibitor, 3-AB, reversed this inhibitory effect. The roles of PARP in modulating the composition and enzyme activities of the DNA synthesome were further investigated by characterizing the complex purified from 3T3-L1 cells before and 24 h after induction of a round of DNA replication required for differentiation of these cells; at the latter time point, approximately 95% of the cells are in S phase and exhibit a transient peak of PARP expression. The MRC was also purified from similarly treated 3T3-L1 cells depleted of PARP by antisense RNA expression; these cells do not undergo DNA replication nor terminal differentiation. Both PARP protein and activity and essentially all of the DNA pol alpha and delta activities exclusively cosedimented with the MRC fractions from S phase control cells, and were not detected in the MRC fractions from PARP-antisense or uninduced control cells. Immunoblot analysis further revealed that, although PCNA and topo I were present in total extracts from both control and PARP-antisense cells, they were present in the MRC fraction only from induced control cells, indicating that PARP may play a role in their assembly into an active DNA synthesome. In contrast, expression of DNA pol alpha, DNA primase, and RPA was down-regulated in PARP-antisense cells, suggesting that PARP may be involved in the expression of these proteins. Depletion of PARP also prevented induction of the expression of the transcription factor E2F-1, which positively regulates transcription of the DNA pol alpha and PCNA genes; thus, PARP may be necessary for expression of these genes when quiescent cells are stimulated to proliferate.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), which is catalytically activated by DNA strand breaks, has been implicated in apoptosis, or programmed cell death. A protease (CPP32) responsible for the cleavage of PARP and necessary for apoptosis was recently purified and characterized. The coordinated sequence of events related to PARP activation and cleavage in apoptosis has now been examined in individual cells. Apoptosis was studied in a human osteosarcoma cell line that undergoes a slow (8 to 10 days), spontaneous, and reproducible death program in culture. Changes in the abundance of intact PARP, poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR), and a proteolytic cleavage product of PARP that contains the DNA-binding domain were examined during apoptosis in the context of individual, whole cells by immunofluorescence with specific antibodies. The synthesis of PAR from NAD increased early, within 2 days of cell plating for apoptosis, prior to the appearance of internucleosomal DNA cleavage and before the cells become irreversibly committed to apoptosis, since replating yields viable, nonapoptotic cells. Strong expression of full-length PARP was also detected, by immunofluorescence as well as by Western analysis, during this same time period. However, after approximately 4 days in culture, the abundance of both full-length PARP and PAR decreased markedly. After 6 days, a proteolytic cleavage product containing the DNA-binding domain of PARP was detected immunocytochemically and confirmed by Western analysis, both in the nuclei and in the cytoplasm of cells. A recombinant peptide spanning the DNA-binding domain of PARP was expressed, purified, and biotinylated, and was then used as a probe for DNA strand breaks. Fluorescence microscopy with this probe revealed extensive DNA fragmentation during the later stages of apoptosis. This is the first report, using individual, intact cells, demonstrating that poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of nuclear proteins occurs prior to the commitment to apoptosis, that inactivation and cleavage of PARP begin shortly thereafter, and that very little PAR per se is present during the later stages of apoptosis, despite the presence of a very large number of DNA strand breaks. These results suggest a negative regulatory role for PARP during apoptosis, which in turn may reflect the requirement for adequate NAD and ATP during the later stages of programmed cell death.

The DNA binding domain (DBD) of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) has proved to be a novel, highly sensitive probe for detecting DNA breaks in intact cells undergoing apoptosis. A recombinant peptide spanning the DNA binding domain of PARP was expressed, purified and used to detect DNA strand breaks in fixed cells. Fluorescence microscopy with this probe followed by detection with anti-PARP antisera initially revealed an increased binding following treatment of cells with DNA strand-breaking agents (such asN-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine) and, subsequently, using biotinylated PARP DBD, during the later stages of apoptosis in several cell systems, when internucleosomal strand breaks became evident. This procedure was found to be at least as sensitive and required fewer steps to detect DNA strand breaks than those utilizing Klenow incorporation of biotinylated nucleotides.

3T3-L1 preadipocytes have been shown to exhibit a transient increase in poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) protein and activity, as well as an association of PARP with DNA polymerase alpha, within 12-24 h of exposure to inducers of differentiation, whereas 3T3-L1 cells expressing PARP antisense RNA showed no increase in PARP and are unable to complete the round of DNA replication required for differentiation into adipocytes. The role of PARP in differentiation-linked DNA replication has now been further clarified at both the cellular and enzymological levels. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that control 3T3-L1 cells progressed through one round of DNA replication prior to the onset of terminal differentiation, whereas cells expressing PARP antisense RNA were blocked at the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle. Confocal microscope image analysis of control S phase cells demonstrated that PARP was localized within distinct intranuclear granular foci associated with DNA replication centers. On the basis of these results, purified replicative complexes from other cell types that had been characterized for their ability to catalyze viral DNA replication in vitro were analyzed for the presence of PARP. PARP exclusively copurified through a series of centrifugation and chromatography steps with core proteins of an 18-21S multiprotein replication complex (MRC) from human HeLa cells, as well as with the corresponding mouse MRC from FM3A cells. The MRC were shown to contain DNA polymerases alpha and delta, DNA primase, DNA helicase, DNA ligase, and topoisomerases I and II, as well as accessory proteins such as PCNA, RF-C, and RP-A. Finally, immunoblot analysis of MRCs from both cell types with monoclonal antibodies to poly (ADP-ribose) revealed the presence of approximately 15 poly(ADP-ribosyl)ated proteins, some of which were further confirmed to be DNA polymerase alpha, DNA topoisomerase I, and PCNA by immunoprecipitation experiments. These results suggest that PARP may play a regulatory role within the replicative apparatus as a molecular nick sensor controlling the progression of the replication fork or modulates component replicative enzymes or factors in the complex by directly associating with them or by catalyzing their poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation.

Recently, by using a probe for the nuclear DNA repair enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase gene, a pseudogene was found on the long arm of chromosome 13. RFLP analysis demonstrates the presence of a common "A" allele and a rare "B" allele, which has a deletion of approximately 200 bp. This deletion occurs more frequently in blacks than in whites in the United States. In two B-cell malignancies, Burkitt's and follicular lymphomas, there is a marked increased frequency of the expression of the B allele. Thus, we have analyzed the frequency of this allele in another B-cell malignancy, multiple myeloma (MM), which is also more frequently observed in blacks. We studied 97 patients with MM (41 black and 56 white patients) and 30 patients with the related disorder monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS; 13 black and 17 white patients). The results demonstrate that the overall frequency of B allele expression (37%) is higher than in a noncancer control population (23%; P < 0.01). This difference is mainly due to the much higher frequency of B expression in black patients (52 versus 35% in black controls; P < 0.01), whereas there is no significant difference in white patients (18 versus 14% in white controls). Overall, B allelic frequency is similar in patients with MM and MGUS. Matched germline and tumor DNA show identical patterns of expression of these alleles. These results suggest germline B allelic expression predisposes one to MM and MGUS.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PADPRP) modifies nuclear proteins in response to DNA-damaging agents. The principal organ subject to exposure to many of these agents is the skin. To understand the role of PADPRP in the maintenance of the epidermis, a model system has been developed in which we have selectively lowered the levels of this enzyme by the use of induced expression of antisense RNA. Human keratinocyte lines were stably transfected with the cDNA for human PADPRP in the antisense orientation under an inducible promoter. Induction of this antisense RNA in cultured cells selectively lowers the levels of PADPRP mRNA, protein, and enzyme activity. Induction of antisense RNA also led to a reduction in the levels of PADPRP in individual cell nuclei, as well as the loss of the ability of cells to synthesize and modify proteins by poly(ADP-ribose) polymer in response to DNA damage. When keratinocyte clones containing the antisense construct or empty vector alone were grafted onto nude mice, they formed histologically normal human skin. The PADPRP antisense construct was also inducible in vivo by the topical application of dexamethasone to the reconstituted epidermis. In addition, poly(ADP-ribose) polymer could be induced and detected in vivo following the topical application of a DNA alkylating agent to the grafted transfected skin layers. Accordingly, a model system has been developed in which the levels of PADPRP can be selectively manipulated in human keratinocytes in cell culture, and potentially in reconstituted epidermis as well. This system will be a useful tool to study the role of PADPRP and DNA repair in general in essential biologic processes in the epidermis.

The role of the enzyme poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase (PADPRP) in DNA repair at the level of the gene was investigated with human HeLa cells in which PADPRP antisense transcripts are inducible with dexamethasone. After such induction, the cellular content of PADPRP is reduced by 90%. DNA damage and its repair was studied in the essential dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) gene after exposure of the cells to either ultraviolet (UV) irradiation or the alkylating agent nitrogen mustard. The expression of the antisense construct had no effect on gene-specific repair of UV-induced pyrimidine dimers. In contrast, induced antisense cells were deficient in the gene-specific repair of nitrogen mustard-induced lesions. Dexamethasone itself did not inhibit gene-specific repair in control cells. Thus, PADPRP appears to participate in the gene-specific repair of alkylation damage, but not in the repair of UV-induced pyrimidine dimers. Clonal survival assays revealed that cells depleted of PADPRP showed an increased susceptibility to nitrogen mustard, supporting the notion that repair of essential genes is critical for cellular survival.

We have focused in part on utilizing molecular aspects of the PADPRP gene sequences located on chromosome 1q as well as on 13 to help clarify the biological role of these genes. With respect to chromosome 1q, stably transfected cell lines have been established in-both HeLa as well as 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cells, which express a reverse complementary transcription product in vivo to the exons coded for on the chromosome 1 locus. Also, in the case of the PADPRP-like gene on chromosome 13q, we have fine mapped this sequence and have observed in a linkage of deletion of this region with predisposition to various forms of cancer, especially in the African-American population.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PADPRP) catalyzes the transfer of multiple ADP-ribose units from NAD to nuclear histone and nonhistone proteins, a reaction that appears to be important in the rejoining of DNA strand breaks during DNA repair and replication. We previously established and characterized a HeLa cell line that was stably transfected with a recombinant expression plasmid containing the mouse mammary tumor virus promoter upstream of a construct encoding PADPRP antisense RNA. We now show that after depletion of PADPRP mRNA as a result of antisense RNA expression, normal PADPRP mRNA concentrations are restored between 8 and 16 h after removal of dexamethasone (which activates the mouse mammary tumor virus promoter). By depleting antisense cells of PADPRP, we demonstrated the contribution of this enzyme to various aspects of nuclear structure and function: (a) amplification of a selectable gene encoding three early enzymes in the pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway was greatly increased in cells depleted of PADPRP; (b) chromatin structure was significantly altered in PADPRP-depleted cells, as indicated by reduced initiation and elongation of poly(ADP-ribose) chains attached to various nuclear protein acceptors, lower levels of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of histone H1, and an increased susceptibility of DNA to micrococcal nuclease digestion; and (c) the survival of PADPRP-depleted antisense cells exposed to the DNA alkylating and carcinogenic agent methyl methanesulfonate or nitrogen mustard was significantly reduced relative to that of control cells.

The activity of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PADPRP), a chromatin-associated enzyme present in most eukaryotic cells, is stimulated by DNA strand breaks, suggesting a role for the enzyme in the cellular response to DNA damage. However, the primary function of PADPRP remains unknown. We have selected Schizosaccharomyces pombe as a simple eukaryotic system in which to study PADPRP function because this fission yeast shares with mammalian cells important cellular features possibly associated with poly-(ADP-ribos)ylation pathways. We investigated the existence of an endogenous yeast PADPRP by DNA and RNA hybridization to mammalian probes under low-stringency conditions and by PADPRP activity assays. Our data indicate that fission yeasts are naturally devoid of PADPRP. We therefore isolated S. pombe strains expressing PADPRP by transformation with a human full-length PADPRP cDNA under the control of the SV40 early promoter. The human PADPRP construct was transcribed and translated in S. pombe, generating a major transcript of the same size (3.7 kb) as that detected in mammalian cells and a 113-kDa polypeptide, identical in size to the native human PADPRP protein. Yeast recombinant PADPRP was enzymatically active and was recognized by antibodies to human PADPRP. S. pombe cells expressing PADPRP (SPT strains) showed a stable phenotype that was characterized by: (i) cell cycle retardation as a result of a specific delay at the G1 phase, (ii) decreased cell viability in stationary cultures, (iii) enhanced rates of spontaneous and radiation-induced ade6-ade7 mutations, and (iv) increased sensitivity to radiation. SPT strains may prove efficient tools with which to investigate PADPRP functions in eukaryotic cells.

With an in vitro DNA repair system, Satoh and Lindah [(1992) Nature 356, 356-358] demonstrated that unmodified poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PADPRP) binds to radiation-damaged DNA and inhibits repair in the absence of NAD. However, in the presence of NAD, PADPRP undergoes automodification and the DNA is repaired. It was hypothesized that PADPRP cycles between an unmodified form, which protects DNA breaks, and an automodified form, which is released from DNA, thereby allowing access to repair enzymes. We have now tested this model with bacterially expressed mutants of PADPRP with deletions in the three major functional domains of the enzyme [Cherney, B. W., Chaudry, B., Bhatia, K., Butt, T. R., & Smulson, M. E. (1991) Biochemistry 30, 10420-10427]. Deletion mutants with an intact amino-terminal DNA-binding domain, and therefore capable of binding to DNA strand breaks in the in vitro assay, inhibited repair; however, whether the deletion was in the NAD-binding, active site domain or the automodification domain, the inhibition of repair exerted by these mutant proteins was not alleviated by NAD. A PADPRP mutant with a deletion in the DNA-binding domain did not inhibit DNA repair. Thus, the behavior of these PADPRP deletion mutants is consistent with the model proposed earlier. The model was also supported by experiments with Manley extracts of HeLa cells stably transfected with a PADPRP antisense RNA construct. Extracts of cells induced to express antisense RNA did not markedly inhibit in vitro DNA repair, nor did the addition of NAD influence the assay. In contrast, noninduced cell extracts inhibited repair and inhibition was alleviated by NAD.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A recently constructed chromosome 13-enriched library was used to isolate the entire human ADP-ribosyltransferase (NAD+) pseudogene 1 gene (ADPRTP1) on 13q34. Recently, ADPRTP1 was shown to detect a restriction fragment length polymorphism that was associated with a predisposition to cancer. The complete sequence of the ADPRTP1 (3808 bases) was determined and found to resemble an intronless cDNA, including 137 bases of the 5' untranslated region and a short poly(A) tail. A previously uncharacterized, endogenous pol-like element (1.53 kb) in which the DNA sequences were interrupted by the polymorphic ADPRTP1 was identified. The solitary pol-related retroviral element may represent a multimember family of viral-like DNA sequences dispersed throughout the human genome. Altogether a 9.25-kb genomic region that also encompassed two Alu elements and the long-terminal repeat-like element of the "O"-LTR family was characterized.

The poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PADPRP) gene (13q33-qter) depicts a two-allele (A/B) polymorphism. In the noncancer population, the frequency of the B allele is higher among blacks than among whites. Since the incidence of multiple myeloma and prostate and lung cancer is higher in the U.S. black population, we have analyzed the B-allele frequency in germ-line DNA to determine whether the PADPRP gene correlates with a polymorphic susceptibility to these diseases. For multiple myeloma and prostate cancer, an increased frequency of the B allele appeared to be striking only in black patients. In contrast, the distribution of the B allele in germ-line DNA did not differ among white patients with these diseases, when compared with the control group. An elevated B-allele frequency was also found in germ-line DNA in blacks with colon cancer. These observations suggest that the PADPRP polymorphism may provide a valid marker for a predisposition to these cancers in black individuals. To determine the genomic structure of the polymorphic PADPRP sequences, a 2.68-kb HindIII clone was isolated and sequenced from a chromosome 13-enriched library. Sequence analysis of this clone (A allele) revealed a close sequence similarity (91.8%) to PADPRP cDNA (1q42) and an absence of introns, suggesting that the gene on 13q exists as a processed pseudogene. A 193-bp conserved duplicated region within the A allele was identified as the source of the polymorphism. The nucleotide differences between the PADPRP gene on chromosome 13 and related PADPRP genes were exploited to develop oligonucleotides that can detect the difference between the A/B genotypes in a PCR. This PCR assay offers the opportunity for analyzing additional black cancer patients, to determine how the PADPRP processed pseudogene or an unidentified gene that cosegregates with the PADPRP gene might be involved with the development of malignancy.

The cDNA of human poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (pADPRP), encoding the entire protein, was subcloned into the Escherichia coli expression plasmid pYUb. In this expression system, the carboxyl terminus of ubiquitin is fused to the amino terminus of a target protein, in this case pADPRP, stabilizing the accumulation of the cloned gene product. Following induction of the transformed cells, the sonicated extract contained a unique protein immunoreactive with both pADPRP and ubiquitin antibodies and corresponding to the predicted mobility of the fusion protein in SDS-PAGE. Fusion of ubiquitin to pADPRP increased the yield of pADPRP approximately 10-fold compared to that of the unfused enzyme. The resulting recombinant fusion protein had catalytic properties which were nearly identical to those of native pADPRP obtained from mammalian tissues. These properties included specific activity, Km for NAD, response to DNA strand breaks, response to Mg2+, inhibition by 3-aminobenzamide, and activity in activity gel analysis. An initial analysis by deletion mutagenesis of pADPRP's functional domains revealed that deletions in the NAD binding domain eliminated all activity; however, partial polymerase activity resulted from deletion in the DNA binding or automodification domains. The activities were not enhanced by breaks in DNA. We further report a colony filter screening procedure designed to identify functional polymerase molecules which will facilitate structure/function studies of the polymerase.

We have evaluated the regulation of expression of the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase gene during cell growth and replication. In a synchronized population of HeLa cells or in serum-stimulated WI-38 cells, steady-state levels of the polymerase mRNA were highest at late S and S-G2 phases and negligible in early S phase. Transcription did not solely account for the significant increase in the mRNA levels observed in late S phase by Northern analysis. The stability of the mRNA was dependent upon the percent proliferating cells in the culture. Accordingly, polymerase mRNA from cells in early exponential phase was significantly more stable than from cells in stationary phase of asynchronous growth. To clarify these observations, we utilized a novel heterologous expression system that involved murine 3T3 cells transfected with a human poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cDNA under the control of a non-cell cycle-specific promoter. Cells were synchronized, and a comparison was made of the endogenous (murine) and exogenous (human) polymerase mRNA levels. Both the endogenous and the exogenous mRNA were specifically stabilized by the same mechanisms and only during late S phase; therefore, we concluded that mRNA pools for the polymerase are regulated at the post-transcriptional level. The heterologous expression system confirmed that the post-transcriptional regulation system in the mouse cells can recognize and faithfully regulate the human cDNA in response to the murine cell cycle signals. More importantly, the presence of extra copies (human) of the polymerase gene did not provide an increased amount of the total polymerase mRNA or protein and, in fact, the sum of the endogenous and exogenous mRNA in the transfected cells was approximately the same as the level of endogenous transcript in the control cells. This suggested that there might be a limit to the amount of polymerase protein accumulating in the cellular pool and thus levels of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase may be autoregulated.

Ewing's sarcoma (ES) is a highly malignant childhood bone tumor and is considered curable by moderate doses of radiotherapy. The addition of chemical inhibitors of the activity of the nuclear enzyme poly(adenosine diphosphate ribose) [poly(ADPR)] polymerase to ES cells in culture results in increased cell killing, a phenomenon called "inhibitor sensitization." Since poly(ADPR) polymerase is thought to be associated with DNA repair, it has been suggested that ES cells and other inhibitor-sensitized cells may have a reduced capacity for polymer synthesis resulting in deficient postirradiation recovery. We present here the unexpected observation that in comparison to other cell lines tested, ES cells exhibit a high enzyme activity, higher constitutive levels of the protein, and elevated levels of its mRNA transcript for poly(ADPR) polymerase. No gross amplifications or rearrangements of the gene were observed; however, regulation of poly(ADPR) polymerase in these tumor cells takes place at the level of the gene transcript.

The catalytic activity of the nuclear enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (NAD+ ADP-ribosyl transferase, EC 2,4,2,30) is totally dependent upon the presence of DNA strand breaks. Having isolated a full-length cDNA for the polymerase, we have now evaluated the effect of endogenously and exogenously induced DNA strand breaks on the transcriptional control of this enzyme. During retinoic acid or dimethyl-sulfoxide-induced differentiation of HL-60 human leukemia cells, which may involve DNA breaks as well as other changes in chromatin, mRNA levels for the polymerase increased very early and remained high for up to 48 h after which it decreased to pre-induced levels. Polymerase transcript levels did not change, however, during the induction of DNA strand breaks by dimethylsulfate, a variety of other alkylating agents, X-irradiation, or UV-irradiation in several mammalian cell lines. It appears that in sharp contrast to the catalytic requirement of the polymerase, the induction of transcription of the polymerase gene may not be a strand-break-dependent process. The noninducibility of the polymerase gene following DNA damage suggested that there may be adequate levels of the polymerase in the cells to cope with DNA damage. To test this hypothesis we examined the efficacy of DNA repair in Cos cells engineered to overexpress the polymerase. Although there was a slight augmentation of the repair rate, this increase was apparent only after very high levels of DNA damage and only at early repair times. After a longer repair period, the extent of repair in control cell was similar to that in the cell overexpressing the polymerase. We thus conclude that the basal levels of the polymerase are adequate for significant amounts of DNA damage.

The relationship between poly(adenosine diphosphate) ribosylation of nuclear proteins and functionally different forms of chromatin from mid-S-phase HeLa nuclei was investigated. The major observations emerging from this study were that unique nonhistone proteins were modified in mid-S-phase HeLa nuclei. The major acceptor for poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) [poly(ADP-Rib)] was an internucleosomal nonhistone protein (protein C; 125 000 molecular weight). Histones H3, H1, H2b, and H2a but not H4 were ADP-ribosylated in S-phase nuclei. Chromatin fragments preferentially released by micrococcal nuclease were enriched in nonhistone proteins, poly(ADP)-ribosylated nuclear proteins, poly(ADP-Rib) polymerase activity and nascent DNA from the DNA replicating fork. In extended forms of chromatin, contiguous to the DNA replicating fork, poly(ADP-Rib) polymerase was maximally active. However, in chromatin distal to the replicating fork (i.e., more condensed structures), nucleosomal histones and histone H1 were not significantly ADP-ribosylated, and poly(ADP-Rib) polymerase activity was depressed two- to threefold. The data suggest that a subset of nucleosomes in extended regions of chromatin is subject to extensive ADP ribosylation.

Definitive evidence for poly(ADP-Rib) polymerase activity is localized within internucleosomal "linker" regions of HeLa cell chromatin is presented. This evidence was based on the following criteria: the enzyme activity did not coincide with the position of core particles in a sucrose gradient but was displaced to that part of the gradient which is enriched in monomers with linker regions. This was not due to dimer contamination, since resedimentation did not affect the enzyme activity in relation to the monomer. A new method of assaying enzyme activity directly in polyacrylamide gels following the separation of monomers and dimers showed that only dimers and monomers with linker regions contained activity. When dimers were digested, the enzyme activity moved from the dimer to the monomer with linker.

When oligonucleosomes (8-10 N) were incubated under conditions favoring poly(ADP-ribosylation) with concentrations of [32P]NAD 10 microM and higher, the labeled chromatin components migrated in 3-8% gradient native chromatin polyacrylamide gels, in positions of far greater size than the starting nucleosomes. Only a small fraction of chromatin and/or oligonucleosome components was found to be involved in this aggregation. This phenomenon could be demonstrated as well by the increased sedimentation of ADP-ribosylated chromatin components in velocity sucrose gradients. In contrast, at [32P]NAD concentrations less than or equal to 1 microM, the modified nuclear proteins were found strictly associated with the original oligonucleosomes. The extent of aggregation was proportional to both substrate concentration and time of incubation with NAD. During this process, progressively longer chains of poly (ADP-Rib) (10-60 N) were generated on chromatin proteins correlating with the level of complex formation. Analysis of protein by either acid-urea or Na-DodS4O-gel electrophoresis indicated that at NAD concentrations favoring aggregation, poly(ADP-Rib) induced ADP-ribosylated complexes of histone H1, and possibly core histones were observed. Poly(ADP-Rib) polymerase requires both DNA and nuclear proteins for activity. The presence of this enzyme in the high molecular weight complexes was demonstrated on sucrose gradients and also by direct enzyme assays, in situ, in regions of 3-8% gradient chromatin gels containing the complexed chromatin components.

Inhibition of poly(ADP-Rib) by benzamide (BA) or 3-amino-benzamide (3AB) for a limited period (i.e., when ADP-ribosylation is elevated) during and shortly following X-ray or MNNG-induced DNA damage of BALB/3T3 cells significantly (3- to 30-fold) enhanced transformation frequency by these agents. Individual Type III foci isolated from benzamide, X-ray, or X-ray plus benzamide treated cultures were established and characterized for growth in soft agar and for tumor induction in nude mice. DNA isolated from representative transformed lines established as a result of BA, X-ray or X-ray and BA treatments was transfected onto NIH/3T3 cells. Transformation efficiencies ranging from 0.17 to 0.28 foci/micrograms of DNA were observed suggesting the possibility that dominant transforming gene(s) were responsible for the oncogenic phenotype of radiation and benzamide transformed DNA.

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, a nuclear protein-modifying enzyme, binds to the internucleosomal linker region of chromatin, although it modifies certain core nucleosomal histones in addition to histone H1. The activity per unit of DNA chromatin changes with the nucleosome repeat number. It reaches a maximum on chromatin of 8-10 nucleosomes in length. As the complexity of chromatin with respect to nucleosome repeat number and compactness increases, a decline and stabilization of specific activity is noted. The difference in specific activity is maintained through resedimentation and dialysis of particles. It does not appear due to differences in polymer chain length or differential degradation of poly (ADP-ribose). The data suggest a relationship between ADP-ribosylation and chromatin organization and vice versa.

The chromatin-associated enzyme poly(ADP-Rib) polymerase causes an NAD-dependent crosslinking of modified oligonucleosomes, as demonstrated by electrophoretic and sedimentation analysis [Butt, T. R. and Smulson, M. (1980) Biochemistry, 19, 5235-5242]. It was speculated that poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of histone H1 and subsequent formation through crosslinking to an H1 dimer may be an important component of this phenomenon. To study this process, a method of complexing histone H1 to chromatin was required that promoted the restoration of accurate poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of this histone. Previously we have established that two histone H1 molecules are crosslinked by a chain of poly(ADP-Rib) 15 or 16 units in length. In the current study, we made use of the ability of oligonucleosomes, reconstituted with H1, to carry out the synthesis of the poly(ADP-Rib)-H1 complex in order to monitor the accuracy of reconstitution. It appears that a specific distance and juxtaposition of adjacent H1 molecules along the polynucleosome fiber is required for the enzymatic synthesis of this modified histone complex. We established that a controlled trypsin digestion of oligonucleosomes removed H1 histone with minimal perturbation of other nuclear proteins associated with chromatin. In addition, poly(ADP-Rib) polymerase was partially removed from chromatin by this procedure. Subsequently, methods utilizing gradient salt dialysis have been employed to reconstitute both the polymerase and histone H1 to the depleted oligonucleosomes. The reassociation of H1 (and polymerase) to specific binding sites within oligonucleosomes was accomplished by the above procedures. Poly(ADP-Rib)--H1-dimer synthesis was not observed in depleted oligonucleosomes, but this capacity was found to be partially restored in the reconstituted chromatin. Similarly, the ability of NAD to promote crosslinking of nucleosomes was restored in the reconstituted samples. These results provide a basis for further studies on how the poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of histones alters the structure of chromatin.

Poly(ADP-ribose) [poly(ADP-Rib)] polymerase of HeLa nucleosomes has been shown in vitro, to catalyze the synthesis of a complex of histone H1 containing 2 H1 histones and 15-16 units of oligo(ADP-Rib). The synthesis of the H1 complex in vitro was compared in polynucleosome populations of various sizes (3--16 and greater than 30) released from HeLa nuclei following micrococcal nuclease digestion. Poly(ADP-Rib) was synthesized from [32P]NAD and the poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of H1 was studied by selective H1 extraction, gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. Quantitative differences in H1 complex formation occurred when either chromatin concentration or polynucleosome length was varied. The data indicated that H1 complex formation in vitro was favored in polynucleosomes 16 nucleosomes long as compared to 8 nucleosomes. A series of partially ADP-ribosylated H1 species was also detected. Partially modified H1 species migrate more slowly than pure H1 in dodecylsulfate gels. The reduced mobility is a function of the number of attached ADP-Rib moieties. Thus, molecules containing one molecule of H1 and various numbers of ADP-Rib residues can be separated. When the partially modified H1 species were incubated in alkali to cleave the linkage of ADP-Rib to protein, (ADP-Rib1-15) were detected by chain length analysis on 15% polyacrylamide gels. The intermediate H1 species could be chased, in vitro, into as H1 complex with NAD and thus were determined to be successive precursors in the formation of the H1 complex. Evidence is presented that the H1 complex is synthesized in intact cells permeabilized with lysolecithin.

The focus of our laboratory has been to ascertain how the poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation reaction influences the structure and biological function of nucleosomal chromatin. Antibody to poly(ADP-ribose (ADP-Rib] was coupled to Sepharose to prepare an immunoaffinity column. The following new information concerning poly(ADP-Rib) and chromatin was obtained with this column: 1) those limiting domains of nucleosomal chromatin undergoing the modification (circa 10%) could be isolated in the "bound" fraction, 2) antibody-bound nucleosomes contained all the poly ADP-ribosylated acceptors and polymerase activity of the bulk chromatin, 3) bound nucleosomes contain significant numbers of internal DNA strand breaks, and [3H]-thymidine (TdR) repair incorporation from in vivo "DNA repair label," compared to the unbound, bulk of the chromatin, 4) the presence of actively transcribed genes in "bound" nucleosomes is being investigated, 5) the acetylation modification of histones occurs in the same domains of chromatin as does poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation, and 6) poly ADP-ribosylated histone H1 can be selectively purified by the immunoaffinity method. These same histone H1 molecules appear to be equally accessible to the histone kinase, phosphorylation modification. In addition, new information has been obtained concerning histone H1 cross-linking by poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation, and on polymerase binding sites to chromatin. We have reconstituted histone H1-depleted chromatin with intact H1 and peptide domains of H1, and subsequently studied H1-poly(ADP-Rib)-complex synthesis. The data indicate that elongation of poly(ADP-Rib) proceeds on the amino terminal region of this histone. By utilizing the new techniques of DNA technology, huge advances in our understanding of the programmed structure of the eukaryotic genome have been accomplished in a relatively short time. To complement this explosion of information, it is important to ascertain how these recently appreciated properties of eukaryotic DNA are packaged within extended and condensed domains of chromatin. The research to be discussed is directed, in part, at this latter topic. We have initiated a program aimed at furthering our comprehension of chromatin structure by studying one specific, enzymatically active chromosomal protein.

A number of studies in bacteria have indicated that deoxythymidine 5'-triphosphate may be a repressor or corepressor of ribonucleotide reductase. For determination of whether a similar regulating mechanism exists in mammalian cells, HeLa cells and partially hepatectomized rats were treated with either methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, or 5-fluorodeoxyuridine in order to block thymidylate synthesis and consequently lower the intracellular pools of deoxythymidine 5'-triphosphate. In HeLa cells there was a significant (360 to 400 percent) increase in reductase activity in both the methotrexate and 5-fluorodeoxyuridine-treated cells. The administration of methotrexate to partially hepatectomized rats resulted in a 2.7-fold enhancement of the hepatectomy-induced increase in reductase activity, and the 5-fluorouracil treatment yielded a 60 percent increment in the increase of ribonucleotide reductase activity after partial hepatectomy. Cycloheximide prevented the increase in reductase activity after the exposure of HeLa cells to methotrexate and 5-fluorodeoxyuridine, indicating that the stimulation of ribonucleotide reductase activity was the result of enhancement of de novo enzyme synthesis rather than of enzyme activation. The data support the thesis that deoxythymidine 5'-triphosphate or a thymidylate metabolite may be involved in the regulation of ribonucleotide reductase levels in mammalian cells.

In the accompanying paper [Malik, N., & Smulson, M. (1984) Biochemistry (preceding paper in this issue)], we report that certain acetylated domains of chromatin were selectively retained by an anti-poly(ADP-Rib) antibody column. In this paper, we describe investigations of this phenomenon at the molecular level of protein interactions. We observed that the majority of endogenously hyperacetylated histones have a high affinity toward the polymer antibody column. It is speculated that these proteins were bound to the column via endogenous poly(adenosine diphosphate ribose) [poly(ADP-Rib)] since the binding was reversed upon treatment of the histones with alkali prior to immunofractionation. In order to analyze the distribution of acetate and poly(ADP-Rib) on histone proteins, [3H]acetylated nuclei were incubated in vitro with [32P]NAD. Acetate was incorporated mainly into H3 and H4 while H1 was the major acceptor protein for poly(ADP-Rib). These results suggest that a correlation may exist in vivo between the two posttranslational modification processes and that identical histone molecules may be accessible to both modifications.